Adrienne Houle, Providence
Weekly Release
Recapping Week One of BIG EAST Action
The first week of league competition saw conference newcomers, Liberty and Quinnipiac, claim victories in their respective inaugural BIG EAST matchups. The Flames registered 22 shots, defeating the Villanova, 5-1. Quinnipiac triumphed over Georgetown, 4-2. In the third game of the weekend, No. 3 UConn outlasted No. 17 Old Dominion, 2-1, with two goals from senior Anna Middendorf. In the final game, Providence senior Adrienne Houle netted a goal in the 81
st minute to clinch a 3-2 overtime victory for the Friars.
Standing Strong
With the field hockey season now in conference play, two BIG EAST teams continue in the top 20 of the National Field Hockey Coaches’ Association (NFHCA) poll and the NCAA Field Hockey RPI. This week Connecticut ranked No. 3 in the NFHCA while standing at No. 4 in the NCAA RPI. Old Dominion follows close behind at No. 6 in the NCAA RPI with a 4-3 record. ODU also ranks 17th in the NFHCA. The Huskies remain unbeaten after a 2-1 win at then-No. 13 Old Dominion on Friday and an 8-0 triumph at then-No.14 Virginia on Sunday to improve to 7-0. Holding a 4-3 record, ODU has seen wins against American, then-No.14 Delaware, Richmond and William & Mary.
Enjoying the Ride
UConn and Providence pace the BIG EAST with seven and three-game winning streaks, respectively. The Huskies enter the weekend riding a seven-game win streak and are undefeated. The 2016 season is the fifth consecutive year that UConn has gone undefeated in its first seven games. Providence has won six of its last seven games, including its last three matches over Rider, Temple and Lehigh. The consecutive victories set the longest winning streak for the Friars since 2014, when they collected five back-to-back wins. Both teams also boast perfect records at home this season with the Huskies owning a 2-0 record at George J. Sherman Family-Sports Complex and the Friars standing at 3-0 at Lennon Family Field.
Sunday Showdown
Sunday’s nonconference lineup pins the BIG EAST against the CAA and the Patriot League. In games against Colonial opponents, No. 3 UConn and No. 9 Boston U. highlight a top-20 matchup, while Villanova hosts Towson. In action against the Patriot League, Liberty visits William & Mary and Georgetown welcomes Lehigh to Cooper Field. Overall, the BIG EAST is 2-2 against Patriot League opponents this season and 3-6 against Colonial opponents.
Nationally Recognized
Connecticut junior Charlotte Veitner was named the Longstreth/NFHCA Division I Offensive Player of the Week on Wednesday. The forward is coming off a record breaking performance, registering six goals against then-No.14 Virginia on Sunday, the most goals and points (12) ever earned in a single game by an UConn player. Her six-goal performance also currently leads the nation in most individual goals in a single game this season and moves her to 65 career goals, the second highest goa total among current NCAA division I players.
The Week Ahead
September
23 Fri. #17 ODU @ Georgetown * 1 p.m.
Temple @ #3 UConn * 3 p.m.
Quinnipiac @ Liberty * 4 p.m.
Villanova @ Providence * 4 p.m.
25 Sun. Towson @ Villanova Noon
#3 UConn @ Boston U. 1 p.m.
UMass-Lowell @ Providence 1 p.m.
Liberty @ William & Mary 1 p.m.
Lehigh @ Georgetown 1 p.m.
Temple @ Sacred Heard 3:30 p.m.
38 Wed. UMass @ #3 UConn 4 p.m.
All times Eastern
* Conference Game